3 Times Bubba Wallace Lost His Cool on the Track: Featuring the Alex Bowman Feud
Bubba Wallace, one of NASCAR’s most notable and polarizing figures, has had a career filled with remarkable moments, both on and off the track. His journey as a driver has not only made headlines due to his on-track performances but also his fiery personality. Wallace, known for his outspoken nature and as one of the few Black drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, has been involved in several high-intensity moments that have generated debate among fans and analysts alike. While these instances highlight his competitive spirit, they also shed light on times when Wallace has lost his cool during a race.
In this article, we will take a closer look at three significant occasions when Bubba Wallace lost his temper on the track, including a particularly contentious feud with Alex Bowman that captured widespread attention. These moments are a testament to Wallace’s passion for racing, his unwavering desire to win, and his occasionally volatile nature.
—
1. Bubba Wallace vs. Kyle Larson (2021 Bristol Dirt Race)
One of the most dramatic instances of Bubba Wallace losing his cool came during the 2021 Bristol Dirt Race. The race, which was part of the NASCAR Cup Series, marked the return of dirt racing to Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time since 2000. Wallace, driving for 23XI Racing, was involved in a controversial incident with Kyle Larson, another driver who had been performing well in 2021.
During the race, Wallace was running in the middle of the pack when he got into an altercation with Larson. The two cars made contact, causing Wallace to spin out and fall several positions back. After getting back onto the track, Wallace was visibly frustrated. His emotions boiled over as he tried to reassert himself, and as the race progressed, Wallace became increasingly aggressive on the track.
However, it wasn’t just the on-track incident that drew attention—it was Wallace’s response afterward. Once the race was over, he confronted Larson on pit road, clearly upset with the way the incident unfolded. Wallace was seen pointing his finger and shouting at Larson, who remained calm throughout the exchange. The confrontation garnered significant media attention, and many fans were divided over who was at fault.
Wallace later explained that his emotions got the best of him during the exchange. He acknowledged that he could have handled the situation better but expressed his frustration with the way Larson raced him. In Wallace’s eyes, the contact was unnecessary and cost him a chance at a better finish. Though his behavior was criticized by some, others defended his fiery passion, noting that it’s not uncommon for drivers to lose their cool in the heat of the moment, especially in a high-pressure race like Bristol’s dirt event.
The feud between Wallace and Larson was short-lived, but it showed that Wallace was willing to stand up for himself when he felt wronged. It also highlighted the importance of maintaining control of emotions in the highly competitive and sometimes volatile world of NASCAR racing.
—
2. Bubba Wallace vs. Joey Logano (2020 Talladega)
Another significant moment in Bubba Wallace’s NASCAR career came in 2020, during the Talladega Superspeedway race. In this race, Wallace found himself in a tense situation with veteran driver Joey Logano, a driver known for his aggressive style of racing. Wallace was involved in a dramatic incident where Logano was accused of forcing Wallace into a situation that would ultimately lead to a collision.
The incident occurred late in the race when Wallace, racing for a strong finish, found himself racing side-by-side with Logano. The two drivers were battling fiercely for position, with Wallace holding his ground on the outside lane. However, Logano, known for his tenacious racing, forced Wallace into the wall, resulting in a cut tire for Wallace and ultimately causing him to crash out of the race.
After the wreck, Wallace’s frustrations were clear as he gestured angrily toward Logano on pit road. In an interview following the race, Wallace didn’t mince words. He criticized Logano’s driving style, calling it reckless and dangerous. Wallace made it clear that he felt Logano’s actions were intentional and that he wasn’t going to let it slide.
In typical Wallace fashion, he didn’t back down from the confrontation, even when some of his fellow drivers tried to downplay the incident. Instead of staying quiet or shrugging off the altercation, Wallace made it known that he would not tolerate drivers who didn’t race him with respect.
Though Wallace and Logano didn’t engage in physical confrontation, the tension between the two was palpable. In the aftermath, Wallace remained adamant that Logano’s actions were unjustified. Once again, Wallace’s fiery personality and competitive nature came to the forefront. His decision to speak out showed his refusal to let unfair treatment slide and his willingness to take a stand when necessary.
—
3. The Bubba Wallace vs. Alex Bowman Feud (2022 and 2023)
One of the most talked-about feuds in recent NASCAR history is the ongoing rivalry between Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman. The animosity between the two drivers escalated after a particularly heated exchange during the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. While both drivers had their own individual moments on the track, it was a series of incidents that culminated in the public feud that captured fans’ attention.
The controversy began during the 2022 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race. Wallace and Bowman found themselves racing near each other when the two got into a heated on-track altercation. Wallace was involved in a spinning incident that took him out of contention for a top finish, and Bowman was blamed for being overly aggressive. The contact between the two was deemed to be a racing incident by some, while others felt Bowman’s move was unnecessarily reckless.
After the race, Wallace expressed his anger towards Bowman in an interview, calling his driving style “stupid” and accusing him of not respecting his space on the track. Wallace was visibly upset and stated that he was tired of dealing with Bowman’s aggressive racing tactics.
Bowman, for his part, did not back down from the feud and fired back with his own comments. The rivalry intensified throughout the 2023 season, particularly at races like Kansas and Texas, where the two continued to get involved in altercations. Each time they crossed paths on the track, there was an undeniable sense of tension, with Wallace often displaying frustration through his body language or on-the-radio comments.
The feud between the two reached its peak during the 2023 Talladega race, a venue known for its high-speed, high-stakes drama. During this race, Wallace and Bowman once again found themselves battling for position. Wallace, still upset from previous encounters, did not hesitate to retaliate when Bowman made contact with him. Wallace, in a moment of intense frustration, responded by driving his car into Bowman’s rear bumper, sending him spinning into the wall.
This incident marked a pivotal moment in the rivalry. Wallace’s decision to intentionally retaliate led to an even bigger fallout, with many speculating that the feud had escalated to an unmanageable level. Wallace’s actions were met with both support and criticism from fans and fellow drivers, but what remained clear was that the tension between Wallace and Bowman had reached a boiling point.
After the race, both drivers exchanged heated words in the garage area, with Wallace reiterating his anger over Bowman’s previous actions. Bowman, who was not known for his emotional outbursts, maintained that he didn’t believe the incident was intentional, but he acknowledged the tension that had developed between the two.
For Wallace, the rivalry with Bowman represented more than just on-track incidents—it became a symbol of his frustration with how some drivers raced him. Wallace’s willingness to confront Bowman publicly and in the heat of the moment spoke to his personality as a driver who was unapologetically competitive and ready to defend his honor when he felt wronged.
—
Conclusion
Bubba Wallace’s career has been defined by many incredible moments—both on and off the track—but these three instances where he lost his cool demonstrate the fiery spirit that defines him as a driver. Whether it’s dealing with Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, or the infamous feud with Alex Bowman, Wallace has shown that he’s not afraid to stand up for himself and confront those he believes are disrespecting him.
While these incidents have drawn criticism from some, they also show Wallace’s passion for racing and his unwavering desire to be respected in NASCAR’s highly competitive environment. As he continues to race at the highest levels, it’s clear that Bubba Wallace will remain one of the most exciting and controversial figures in the sport—one who is not afraid to express his emotions and take matters into his own hands when necessary.
Though Wallace’s fiery nature has sometimes caused tension, it also serves as a reminder of the raw emotion that goes into being a professional athlete. In the world of NASCAR, where every race is a battle for position, respect, and victory, Bubba Wallace’s reactions to on-track conflicts reveal his competitive drive and his unyielding desire to succeed, no matter the cost.
Be the first to comment